'Let's Fight This': Lifelong Manhattan Woman In Breast Cancer Battle

MANHATTAN, IL — Michelle Onofre is just two years away from owning the Manhattan home where she grew up, outright.

The 57-year-old lifelong resident of the small town loves calling it home, and finds herself now hoping for support from those she's called longtime neighbors.

Onofre in May 2023 was diagnosed with breast cancer, and soon will undergo a double mastectomy to eradicate the cancer and determine next steps. She faces a recovery approximated at four to six weeks, and fears her lack of income while out of work will jeopardize her finances.

"I only have two years left to pay on my house," Onofre said. "I don't want to lose it."

With a history of breast cancer in her family—her great grandma, grandma, two aunts, two cousins all had it—Onofre is considered high risk, and is being proactive by removing both breasts on August 7, she told Patch. She'll also have reconstructive surgery.

An unlucky diagnosis with a good prognosis, it was an unfortunate turn of events that led to it, Onofre said. Prior to April 2023, Onofre did not have health insurance. She was then laid off from her job, and signed up for Medicaid. Her doctor recommended she get mammogram—her first one.

"It’s God’s will," Onofre said. "It all happens for a reason, I feel."

The graduate of Manhattan District 114 and Lincoln-Way District 210 was stunned by the diagnosis, but found her biggest challenge in what came after.

"The worst part was having to tell my daughter," Onofre said, "because we’ve been through a lot in the last 15 years."

Onofre's daughter Carm, 33, has been by her mother's side her entire life, including living together in their home now. The two have weathered difficult life events in recent years, including Onofre's brother's suicide, Onofre's mother's death, and a heart attack Onofre suffered less than a decade ago.

" I didn’t want to have to tell her," Onofre said. "That’s what bugged me the most."

Carm kicked into supportive mode, sharing word of a Go Fund Me to help support her mother through her journey.

Meanwhile, Onofre braces for what's ahead. Doctors will also explore lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread, and illuminate next steps.

"Yes, I have cancer, but I don’t think of it like that," Onofre said. "I’m just like, ‘let’s fight this.’ I go into survival mode through all these things in my life."

Onofre's diagnosis has impacted many around her, she said, giving many an extra nudge to get their own mammograms completed.

She'll also be insistent that Carm takes necessary precautions.

"She’s going to be getting her mammogram," Onofre said, "because I’m going to be on her, because she does have insurance."

Onofre said the community's support and kind words for her have reminded her every day since her diagnosis of what she loves about her town.

"Manhattan, we have such a great support system, we really do," Onofre said." Even people that I know, but I don’t know well are supporting me. And people I don’t know are supporting me. It’s amazing, I’ve cried a lot with the amount of support I’ve gotten. It’s just amazing.

"I love Manhattan. I’ll be here ’til the end, and that’s not going to be because of this cancer."